Ty Wigginton in the All-Star Game

The Major League All-Star game will be played tonight in Anaheim and for Bulldog fans this year’s event will definitely be worth watching.

That’s because the school’s only major league player – Ty Wigginton will be on the American League squad. Wigginton, who played at UNC Asheville from 1996-98, was picked by American League manager Joe Giradi. Ty has enjoyed a successful season with the Baltimore Orioles and has been a real bright spot for them in an otherwise tough first half for the O’s.

This is truly a great moment for Ty. He has played for five different teams, been cut twice, been sent to the minors and wasn’t scheduled to play much for Baltimore this year. The Orioles had some injuries, and Ty got put into the starting line-up, first at second base and then at first base. He carried the Orioles in the first two months of the season with his hitting.

Through it all, Ty Wigginton is the same guy that played hard for the Bulldogs each and ever day he was here. I had the pleasure of seeing him play in Boston a few weeks ago. Talking to him before a game at Fenway Park, Ty was the exact same guy I talked to at Greenwood Field in the late 90’s. Reading his interviews about being picked and watching some of his interviews on-line you see why his manager Juan Samuel said – “I’ve never heard anybody say anything bad about Wiggy. That’s why he’s getting so many calls and texts about making the All-Star Team. People are so happy for him. He plays the game the right way.”

So tonight turn your TV set on and root for Ty Wigginton. He’s one of our guys, and we’re proud of him.